Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele was on Monday included in Paris Saint-Germain's squad to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League after a six-week injury layoff.

Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta completed a dream week with a hat-trick for his side in a thrilling 3-3 draw at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.

Kylian Mbappe is receiving treatment for a "small niggle" in his right ankle after meeting up with his international team-mates ahead of the latest round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers, France coach Didier Deschamps said Monday.

Jean-Philippe Mateta was rewarded for his excellent form with Crystal Palace by being called up to the France squad named Thursday for World Cup qualifying matches against Azerbaijan and Iceland this month.

Hugo Ekitike missed out on a place in the France squad named Wednesday for the start of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, but coach Didier Deschamps did hand a first senior call-up to highly-rated Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche.

Paul Pogba said during his unveiling at new club Monaco on Thursday a return to the French national team "would of course still be a dream and a bonus for me".

Goals from captain Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise earned France a 2-0 victory over Germany in a playoff on Sunday as they finished third in this season's Nations League.

Paul Pogba can return to competition from Tuesday as the former France star's 18-month doping ban expired -- but he needs to find a club.

Kylian Mbappe is hoping his recent move to Real Madrid will take his already glittering career on the pitch to new heights, but the French superstar has become embroiled in off-field difficulties in recent months.

Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco has urged his players to be brave and clinical against France as his side seek a first competitive victory over their neighbours in 43 years in their Nations League A Group 2 clash in Brussels on Monday.

World champion N'Golo Kante will make a surprise return to international football as France coach Didier Deschamps announced Thursday the 25 players that will make up the French squad at Euro 2024.

Olivier Giroud confirmed on Monday that he will leave AC Milan at the end of the season to end his long career in Major League Soccer.